Get ready for chills as we revisit a classic that doesn’t rely on superhuman slashers or crazed killers but still managed to freeze audiences in fear. "Poltergeist" (1982) tells the story of an ordinary suburban family haunted by supernatural forces that tap into our deepest fears. From a clown doll that springs to life, to a closet that becomes a portal to another dimension, and a tree that breaks through a bedroom window, the terror builds. But nothing is more unsettling than a young girl calmly pressing her hands against a flickering TV screen and announcing: "They’re here..."

Join Tim Williams, Ben Carpenter, and Bethany Wells as they slide across the kitchen floor, grab a raw steak from the fridge, and dive into why this PG-rated fright fest has haunted HBO viewers since the 80s. Does it still give them the creeps? Tune in to this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast to find out!

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• Dr. Lesh states in the movie that the paranormal activity in the Freeling home is likely caused by a poltergeist, rather than a haunting. This is because poltergeists are typically linked to a specific person, while hauntings are associated with a particular location. However, this assessment proves to be incorrect when Steven discovers that the house was built on a cemetery, indicating that the phenomenon is actually a haunting and not a poltergeist.
• The sound effect for the beast that attacks the house at the end of the movie is the source for the MGM lion roar.
• Poltergeist's special effects and score were both nominated for Oscars but lost to Spielberg's bigger film, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial", in both categories.

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

⁠https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/poltergeist-at-40⁠

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We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

In 1984, amid the fears of nuclear war and the rise of consumerism, teen-centric films flourished. One often-overlooked gem stands out for its darker tone, mixing themes of consumerism, alien threats, mutation, and sinister scientists. "Night of the Comet" follows two sisters who survive a comet-induced apocalypse that turns most people into dust and some into zombies. As they navigate the desolate city, meet a fellow survivor, and face the dangers of this new world, they quickly realize that survival isn't as easy as it seems. So, grab your Mac-10, hop on a motorcycle, and join us as Chris Adams and I, along with special guest Catherine Mary Stewart, dive into the 1984 cult classic "Night of the Comet" on this special bonus episode of the 80s Flick Flashback podcast!

This is an abbreviated replay of an episode of the "Retro Life 4 You" Podcast with Chris Adams. If you would like to watch or listen to the full, unedited episode you can find it here - https://retrolife4u.com/episode/night-of-the-comet-apocalypse-80s-style

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

Say his name three times and he will appear. With his unruly green hair, pinstripe suit and unusual mannerisms, the malicious spirit became a film icon. But before the dark comedy premiered the studio and half of the cast weren't exactly convinced that audiences would be willing to take the wild ride about a bio-exorcist. The original script was vastly different, offering a darker and more deadly take before humor was eventually (and successfully) sprinkled in during production. The unique blend of absurdity and alarm proved to be the perfect mix, with this 80s Flick becoming a surprise hit at the box office, spawning a hit animated series, winning an Oscar, and becoming a Broadway musical. So take a trip with us back to Winter River Connecticut, grab your copy of the “Handbook for the Recently Deceased”, and watch out for the Sandworms as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Laramy Wells & Bethany Wells discuss “Beetlejuice” from 1988 on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast.

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• Tom Duffield said "The scene with Alec Baldwin, where Geena’s standing with his head in her hand, he was just kneeling behind a black show card that was cut around his chin. Look closely, it’s all done on camera. It was real quick cut, but that’s all it was."
• The epilogue featuring Beetlejuice and the witch doctor was added during post-production. Another version of the ending showed Beetlejuice in the waiting room with the barber who welcomed Adam at the beginning of the movie (supposedly after he had died), and the barber's rambling drove Beetlejuice crazy.

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

https://www.ranker.com/list/beetlejuice-behind-the-scenes/jacob-shelton

https://www.eonline.com/news/1369754/20-strange-and-unusual-secrets-about-beetlejuice-revealed

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

Imagine pitching this to a movie studio in the 80s: two clueless slackers travel through time in a phone booth, rounding up historical figures for their high school history project. Not exactly an easy sell, right? But what started as a quirky stand-up routine from college pals Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon turned into a surprise hit. The film didn’t just make money—it inspired a sequel, an animated series, a comic book, and even its own breakfast cereal!

After a challenging production—complete with budget issues, a rewritten ending, and hundreds of auditions—Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure finally hit theaters. While initial reviews were most heinous, it steadily won over audiences, and the rest is, well, history.

So, jump into the time-traveling phone booth, practice your air guitar skills, and don’t forget to wind your watch as Nicholas Pepin, Chad Sheppard, Laramy Wells, and I discuss Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure from 1989 on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast!

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

Many of the historical figures that Bill and Ted brought back died in tragic ways. Several, including Socrates, Joan of Arc, Billy the Kid, and Abraham Lincoln, were either executed or assassinated. Sigmund Freud died by assisted suicide. Some people believe Napoleon Bonaparte's death under house arrest was the result of arsenic poisoning. Historically, Genghis Khan and Ludwig van Beethoven died of natural causes.

Bill's "philosophy" to Socrates, "All we are is dust in the wind, dude," is a line from "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas. Socrates' response is, "Like sands of the hourglass, such are the days of our lives." For decades, that was the opening credits voiceover for "Days of Our Lives". Amy Stoch (Missy) appeared in 26 episodes of Days of Our Lives in 1986, while Tony Steedman (Socrates) appeared in 15 episodes in 1990.

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/alex-winter-bill-ted-excellent-adventure-lost-scene-interview-955329/

https://screenrant.com/bill-ted-excellent-adventure-behind-scenes-facts/

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2551533/bill-and-teds-excellent-adventure-non-heinous-behind-the-scenes-facts-about-the-time-travel-movie

https://keithandthemovies.com/2020/04/22/retro-review-bill-teds-excellent-adventure-1989/

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

In the 1980s, many movie fans thought the Friday the 13th series was at its best with the fourth movie, The Final Chapter, where it seemed like Jason Voorhees was finally defeated. The fifth film, A New Beginning, tried to take the story in a new direction but didn't satisfy fans. Then, a new writer and director named Tom McLoughlin was asked to bring new life to the series and the famous killer.

In his story, Tommy Jarvis digs up Jason's grave with the plan to burn his remains and end the trauma he caused. Instead of ending Jason's terror, a bolt of lightning hits the corpse, bringing him back to life like Frankenstein.

Listen to Tim Williams and co-hosts Charlie Cotter and Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast, as they discuss "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives" from 1986 on this special bonus episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast.

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• Writer/director Tom McLoughlin decided that Jason would not harm a child out of sympathy for the plight of children generated by his childhood drowning.

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, BoxOfficeMojo

https://www.neonsplatter.com/added-to-watchlist/friday-the-13th-part-vi-jason-lives-1986

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

John Hughes is known for making popular movies about teenagers in the 1980s. He started as a National Lampoon's Magazine writer and then began writing scripts in 1979. In 1984, he directed "Sixteen Candles". The next year, he directed two well-known movies, "The Breakfast Club" and this 80s flick. Many people think "The Breakfast Club" is better, but this one is special because it mixes comedy with science fiction. The movie is about two unpopular boys in high school who use a computer to create the "perfect woman." The woman they create, Lisa, is beautiful and has magical powers. This leads to many funny and exciting situations. If you'd like to hear more about "Weird Science" from 1985, you can listen to this podcast episode with Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Ben Carpenter, Darby Mirocha, and Laramy Wells.

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• The pianist at the party, played by Kym Malin, did her own stunts, which were quite elaborate. For the scene, Malin was attached to a scaffold and lifted up the chimney where a large vacuum tore her clothes off. After that, a crane lifted her out of the chimney and dropped her into the backyard swimming pool.
• The film went by some very different titles in different movie markets across the globe. In Japan, the film was called "Electric Venus", in Germany, it was named "Cool Magic with Lisa". In Denmark, it was released as "Touch Me, I’m Yours", while in Finland and Sweden, the film was known as "Dream Woman".

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

https://screenrant.com/behind-scenes-facts-about-making-of-weird-science/

https://www.firstforwomen.com/entertainment/movies-shows/weird-science-10-bizarre-behind-the-scenes-facts

https://www.eightieskids.com/things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-weird-science/

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

80s action movie icon Arnold Schwarzenegger had already faced off against deadly alien hunters in "Predator", but that same year, he took on another action-packed sci-fi film, trading aliens for a dystopian future and a deadly reality TV show. This 80s flick was a wild departure from the original short story it was based on, but it delivered plenty of action and comedic moments. In this adaptation, convicted criminals known as "runners" must survive against professional killers in a twisted televised reality show with a charismatic host who has sinister secrets. So don your favorite golden jumpsuit, brush up on your one-liners, and don’t touch that dial as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Nicholas Pepin from "Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast and Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast discuss “The Running Man” from 1987 on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast.

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• The character of Mrs. McArdle, who host Damon Killian states is the show's number one fan, is an homage to Mrs. Miller, a long-time fixture of many series, including The Merv Griffin Show. Her claim to fame was that she showed up to the tapings almost daily.
• Mic Fleetwood came up with the "Star Trek" reference in the movie because he was a big fan of the original 1960s series. Two years after the movie was released, Fleetwood achieved a lifelong ambition by making a cameo in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, BoxOfficeMojo

https://www.joblo.com/tango-and-cash-1989-sylvester-stallone-revisited/

https://www.eightieskids.com/20-surprising-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-tango-and-cash/

https://weminoredinfilm.com/2017/11/13/the-story-behind-the-making-of-the-running-man/

https://www.joblo.com/the-running-man-arnold-schwarzenegger/#google_vignette

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

In the not-too-distant future, civilization has been destroyed by genocide, starvation, and plague, and chaos reigns in the wastelands surrounding the collapsed Brooklyn Bridge. As guerilla fighters battle amid the desolation, one woman, who is also a robot, harbors a secret that could save humanity. As menacing baddies seek to exploit her to monopolize the production of the world-ravaging plague’s cure, a muscled martial arts mercenary has committed to protecting her. So hold tight to the barbed wire, grab your repainted paintball gun, and join us on the trek to Atlanta as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts, Nicholas Pepin from "Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast, Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast, discuss “Cyborg” from 1989 on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast.

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• The chain mail and forearm guards worn by Fender were part of the costume for the character "Blade" in "Masters of the Universe" (1987).
• The movie's violent scenes were significantly edited to secure an R rating instead of an X rating. These edits included toning down a throat-slitting scene and reducing the amount of blood and gore during the village massacre. Additionally, a scene depicting the death of a man Van Damme was fighting was removed, leading to a noticeable inconsistency where it appeared as though the character suddenly disappeared.

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

https://subversiverabbit.com/blog/cyborg-1989-a-detailed-look-into-b-movie-gold/

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/cyborg-35-year-anniversary

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback